Tractor-trailer crash kills two

Northbound semi plows into disabled rig, pinning roadside mechanic against his own pickup

Two men died south of Canyonville on Sunday night when a tractor-trailer slammed into a disabled commercial truck parked on the shoulder of northbound Interstate 5 near milepost 90.

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By RYAN PFEIL

MailTribune.com

By RYAN PFEIL

Posted Mar. 4, 2014 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 4, 2014 at 2:30 AM

By RYAN PFEIL

Posted Mar. 4, 2014 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 4, 2014 at 2:30 AM

» Social News

Two men died south of Canyonville on Sunday night when a tractor-trailer slammed into a disabled commercial truck parked on the shoulder of northbound Interstate 5 near milepost 90.

Oregon State Police reported William Marion Steinbrook, a 54-year-old roadside mechanic from Yoncalla, was pinned between his pickup and the disabled truck during the crash. The other fatality, 43-year-old Adam Wade Pennington of Hemet, Calif., was in the sleeper berth of the tractor-trailer that slammed into the back of the disabled vehicle.

The crash happened around 11 p.m. Sunday, about eight miles south of Canyonville. The disabled tractor-trailer was parked on the shoulder and Steinbrook was standing between the disabled truck and his roadside assistance pickup, police reported.

A 2013 International truck pulling an Auto Zone semitrailer, driven by 56-year-old Norco, Calif., resident William Dean Penicks, crested a hill, driving in the right lane. The truck crossed the fog line for an unknown reason and smashed into the back of the stopped semitrailer, police said. The impact pushed the disabled truck and trailer forward, slamming into Steinbrook and pinning him between his truck and the disabled semi. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Pennington was also pronounced dead at the scene by crash responders. The disabled truck's driver was outside the vehicle and was not hurt.

OSP, the Douglas County Sheriff's Department, South Umpqua Fire Department, Azalea Rural Fire District and Oregon Department of Transportation responded to the scene. A hazardous materials cleanup crew also responded to a diesel spill. Northbound lanes were closed briefly during the initial response. The crash's cause remained under investigation by OSP.

Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or by email at rpfeil@mailtribune.com.